The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand (Abrv: MFA; Thai: กระทรวงการต่างประเทศ, RTGS: Krasuang Kan Tang Prathet) is the principal governmental department in charge of foreign relations for Thailand. The ministry is headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who is also a member of the Cabinet of Thailand. The Minister of Foreign Affairs is appointed by the Prime minister. The ministry is charged with formulating and executing foreign policies for the Kingdom of Thailand and also manages and maintains Thai diplomatic missions around the world.[1]
History
Prior to the creation of the ministry, much of the country's foreign relations were handled by the absolute monarchs of the day. During the Kingdom of Ayutthaya foreign relations were handled by the "Krom Phra Khlang" (Thai: กรมพระคลัง) (or the Treasury Department). The head of the department was known as "Phra Khlang" (Thai: พระคลัง) and occasionally referred to as "Berguelang" or "Barcelon" by foreign authors. A notable Phra Khlang Kosathibodi during the reign of King Narai was Kosa Lek, who was the elder brother of the famous 17th-century Siamese ambassador to France Kosa Pan. Kosa Pan also became a Phra Khlang Kosathibodi upon the reign of Petracha. Soon after, a sub-department called "Kromma Tha" (Thai: กรมท่า, "Port Department") was created to deal with foreigners.[2][3]
Ambasador Flag of Thailand proposed by King Vajiravudh in 1917The ministry during its headquarter at the Saranrom Palace in 1954Vithes Samosorn Hall inside Ministry of Foreign Affairs building at Si Ayutthaya Rd.
In 1840, King Mongkut, the next king, founded the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Siam, which was administered directly by the king. The responsibilities and roles of the old "Krom" were shifted to this ministry. Chao Phraya Bhanuwong became the first Foreign Minister of Siam in 1871, appointed by King Chulalongkorn. In 1881 Prince Devavongse Varoprakarn was appointed to replace him. Known today as the "father of Thai diplomacy" he reorganized and modernized the ministry to meet 19th century standards. The ministry was then permanently established at Saranrom Palace, east of the Grand Palace. The ministry was divided into seven divisions:[6]
After the Revolution of 1932, the ministry came under civilian control and the minister was made a member of the constitutional government of Siam. The first minister under this new system was Phraya Srivisanvaja.[9]
Department of ASEAN Affairs (for international undertakings under the framework of ASEAN ; while bilateral relations between Thailand and each ASEAN member is under the East Asian Affairs Department)
Department of East Asian Affairs
Department of South Asian, Middle East and African Affairs
List of ministers
This is a list of ministers of foreign affairs of Thailand:[11][12]
1875–1885: Chao Phraya Panuwongse Maha Kosathibodi
^Thamsook Numnonda (1974). "The First American Advisers in Thai History"(PDF). Journal of the Siam Society. JSS Vol.62.2f (digital). Siam Society: image 5. Retrieved September 7, 2013. The eventful forty-two year reign of King Chulalongkorn of Thailand (1868–1910) was a landmark in Thai history. It was the period that Thailand began to develop herself into a modern state, with the abolition of extrality (extraterritoriality), the negotiations of treaties, the reform of law and judicial administration, and the reorganization of governmental agencies. The achievement of these aims was, in fact, partly due to the work of the "foreign advisers" who shared roles in the affairs of this small Asian country.
